Log Home Ideas

Traditionally futons are kind of an eastern thing, but nowadays you can get them in lots of different styles. If you’re decorating your log home or cabin, you can even get them made from logs.

This rustic log futon would probably be a good choice for anyone who is building a log cabin to use as a vacation home or a rental home. Futons, which collapse into full-size or queen-size beds, are traditionally a little more comfortable than pull-out sofas. Also, this one certainly fits the log theme more than your usual sofa.

The frame (mattress not included) costs about $400 from Green Touch Irrigation.

If you’ve been dreaming of building a log home or a log cabin, but buying a kit sounds like way too much work, you may want to check out one of the companies that is selling modular log houses and cabins. Unlike with a kit, where you get all the materials but still have to assemble everything from scratch, modular homes are constructed in factories and come nearly complete. Final assembly at the construction lot (aka the land you bought for your dream home) usually only takes a few days.

The Rocky Mountain cabin shown here is a modular unit with prices starting at just under $55,000. The price doesn’t include freight and finish costs, but it does include the cabinetry, counter tops, sinks, toilet, water heater & bath tub, already installed (items that don’t usually come with kit homes). You do need to buy your appliances separately, but, hey, you wanted to pick out your stylish stainless steel refrigerator anyway, right?

from Spirit Cabins

A lot of people who buy land and build log homes or log cabins like to get away from it all, choosing locations that are deep in the wilderness. Unfortunately, it can cost a fortune to get electricity run to a home that is far from access points.

The answer may be to power your home with solar panels. In many climates, you can get enough energy from the sun, year around, to power your cabin 100%. Though the initial cost of purchasing the equipment can be pricy, you can save a lot of money in the long run–no monthly energy bills and no costs for hooking up to the access point, which might be miles away.

Alpine Survival sells on-the-grid and off-the-grid solar panel kits and systems.

I’m not quite sure where the deer-antlers-embedded-in-furniture trend came from, but they do seem to make an appearance in a lot of rustic and log pieces. What if you want a more modern theme for your home though? Just because you’re living in a log home doesn’t mean you have to go with rustic furniture.

This solid cast aluminum coat rack has a modern feel, while it pays homage to the deer antler pieces. In this case, the antlers aren’t real though. Imported from Amsterdam, the rack costs $75 from Lekker.

Whether you’ve got a home made out of logs or just a regular abode, a hanging planter can do a lot to perk up the patio or deck area, or even improve the view out a window. Since this basket is self-watering, it can reduce watering chores (perfect if you’ve got a vacation home that you’re using infrequently or as a rental, and you can’t come by every day to keep it pretty):

“A patented dual-action wick system (capillary mat plus evaporation grill) distributes water from a 1-quart reservoir so your plants are never dry, never overwatered. Convenient refill hole is located at the bottom, so you don’t need a ladder to water your basket.”

The baskets are available from the Gardeners’ Supply Store for $12.95 a piece. Get a whole set without spending a fortune.

Self-Watering Hanging Basket

If you’re looking for rustic furniture made from natural elements, you can’t get any closer to sitting on the real deal than this arm chair from the Twig Shoppe. Hand-made from Mountain Laurel, the chair measures 56T X 28W X 24D and can be purchased for $475 (you do have to pick it up in person–in Maine–though so don’t ask about shipping on this one). Here’s a bit more on the piece, from the artist:

“All joinery is coped so one section wraps around another. The seat and back were made from a heavy split Hornbeam branch. No stain was used on this piece, just two coats of clear shellac. If you have a special corner this would be perfect!”

More information at the Twig Shoppe.

If you’ve got a log home and want to give your kids a fun playhouse in the backyard, why not continue the log theme there? True, this play house from Little Colorado isn’t made out of actual logs but it is at least made out of wood and finished with a non-toxic Danish oil (you can also paint or wallpaper the flat walls, something that can be a challenge with real logs).

You can get the play house for under $400 at Amazon:

Log Cabin Play House